Ear contacting and lifting mechanism



Aug. 27, 1968 R. A. HEISLER EAR CONTACTING AND LIFTING MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 5, 1966 INVENTOR. RA YMO/VDA. HE/SL ER R. A. HEISLER EAR CONTACTING AND LIF'I'ING MECHANISM Aug. 27, 1968 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 5, 1966 INVENTOR.

RA YMOND A. HE/SL El? Aug. 27, 1968 R. A. HEISLER EAR CONTACTING AND LIFTING MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 5, 1966 IN VEN TOR.

RA YMOND A. HE/SLER BY A GENT 7, 1968 R. A. HEISLER 3,398,711

EAR CONTACTING AND LIFTING MECHANISM Filed July 6, 1966 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

RA YMO/VDA. HE/SL 5/? QM 722w;

AGE/VT Aug. 27, 1968 R. A. HEISLER EAR CONTACTING AND LIFTING MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 5, 1966 INVENTOR.

RA YMO/VDA. HE ISLE I? 7, 1968 R. A. HEISLER 3,398,711

EAR CONTACTING AND LIFTING MECHANISM Filed July 5, 1966 '6 Sheets-Sheet e INVENTOR.

BY PA YMO/VDA. HE/SL ER fie FEM:

AGENT nited States ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLGSURE In a bail-applying apparatus, a pair of opposed ear contacting and lifting arms disposed to operate in concert with movable cover arms to engage the ears of an advancing container to stop the advance of the container and in ear-cradling notches in the distal end of each of the arms to lift the container by its ears to a positive upward stop. In its upward position the bail retaining aperture of the ear is in way of the exit end of a bail end forming die. The lift arm may include a sensing means for detecting the presence of an car at the stop position.

This invention relates to ear engaging and lifting mechanism and in particular to such mechanism as is used in apparatus adapted for the applying of bails to eared containers.

In particular this invention relates to the mechanism and method of engaging the ears of oriented cans and lifting these cans by their ears while cooperative bail-applying mechanism is forming and attaching a bail to one of said lifted cans.

Even more particularly this invention relates to improvements in the mechanism and means for precisely positioning the ears of a container while a bail is applied by a method and by a mechanism such as shown in my US. Patent 3,241,578 issued Mar. 22, 1966.

Still more particularly this invention relates to mechanism as used to provide improvements in bail-applying apparatus such as shown in US. Patent 3,241,578 wherein after being oriented in a manner as described in the above identified patent the eared container is brought to the bail-applying apparatus whereupon in addition to a positive stop there is provided an ear engaging and lift means which in timed response to an operational sequence engages and lifts the eared cans by their ears and brings the ears to a precise location and height.

In the course of providing for the extensive commercial use of approximately one hundred bail applying machines of the type disclosed in my US. Patent 3,241,578 the inaccuracies of location of the ears on the containers has been a problem. With each of these machines being operated at rates of thirty to more than sixty containers per minute, each of these machines may process many more than three hundred thousand containers per week. The combined totals of the eared cans hailed by these machines is in the hundreds of million units per year. To provide this demand the can industry must have very high speed equipment and in this type of operation precise positioning of each of the cars has proved difficult in that not only are some of ears not applied but because of bending etc. many cars may be mislocated as much as a half inch from the nominal manufacturing heights. Such variations have proved to be too great for the mechanism of the above identified US. Patent and in particular when the mislocation of the ear on the can is so low that the end of the bail being pushed from the end forming die is above the opening into the ear. In these instances the bail does not enter the ear and the result is a miss. To accommodate these ear location inaccuracies the present invention provides a method and apparatus whereby when the ears have been brought into engagement with positive stops, a lifting atent O Patented Aug. 27, 1968 support for the ears is provided in the form of movable and pivoted arms each having ear engaging means, said arms are provided with means for moving the arms to and from the ears and lifting the container by these cars so that after lifting, the ears are precisely positioned in respect to the end forming dies whereupon the bail as it is formed is inserted into hte bail opening in the ear. After inserting the hail the arms are lowered to disengage the ears and release the container for discharge from the bailing apparatus.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention to be described, there is shown a lift arm having a sensing means adapted to cause a signaling actuation providing for the operation of the bail applying mechanism.

Object of the invention It is an object of this invention to provide a bail applying mechanism with a lifting means and a method for engaging each of the oppositely disposed ears of an eared container and to raise the container by these ears to a predetermined precise location adjacent the outlet of an end forming die of the bail applying mechanism, whereupon after the bail has been inserted into the ears of a container the lifting means is lowered from engagement with the ears to release the container from the bail applying apparatus.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a bail applying mechanism with a lifting means and a method in which the lifting means is additionally provided with a stop and sensing means which means when engaged by each ear of an eared container is adapted to actuate a signal for starting the bail applying apparatus, the operation of the apparatus causing an actuation of a lifting means to engage each of the oppositely disposed ears on the eared container and to lift the container by its ears while a bail is being formed and inserted into the eared container and after insertion of the bail, the lifting means is lowered to provide a disengagement of the lifting means from the ears of the container so as to release the container from the bail applying apparatus.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a bail applying mechanism with a lifting means having a pair of oppositely disposed lifting arms biased toward each other and spaced so as to have the distal lifting ends adapted to engage the sides of an eared container as the container is advanced between the arms, said arms being provided with an ear stop and pneumatic sensing apparatus adapted to cause a clutch on the bail applying mechanism to actuate the mechanism whereupon the distal end of the arms are urged upwardly so as to bring an ear engaging pocket on the distal end to engage and lift the eared container by means of the ear and when the ear is brought to a precise position adjacent a bail-end forming outlet the bail is inserted whereupon the distal ends are lowered to release the ears and means is provided to move the ear stop and sensing apparatus from in the way of the car so that the now bailed eared container is discharged from the bail applying apparatus.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts, hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts, without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 represents a fragmentary front view of the bail applying apparatus and showing in relation thereto a mechanically actuated ear engaging and lifting means;

FIG. 2 represents a fragmentary side view of the apparatus and showing in particular the assembled compo- 3 nents comprising the ear engaging and lifting means of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 represents in enlarged scale a right side isometric view of the components of one ear engaging and lifting means of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 represents in the same scale a left side isometric view of the components of the ear engaging and lifting means of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 represents a fragmentary front view similar to FIG. 1 and showing the bail applying apparatus and in relation thereto a pair of ear stop and lifting arms having a pneumatically actuated ear engaging and lifting means;

FIG. 6 represents a fragmentary side view of the apparatus of FIG. 5 and showing in particular the assembled components and the cam control means for actuating the lift arms;

FIG. 7 represents in enlarged scale a right side isometric view of the components of one of the ear engaging and lifting means of FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 8 represents in the same scale a left side isometric view of the components of the ear engaging and lifting means of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 represents a schematic diagram showing the operation of the air-blocking device for causing an actuation of the bail applying apparatus; and

FIG. 10 represents a schematic diagram showing the method of operation of the valve and lifting cylinders which provide the actuation of the lifting arms of the apparatus of FIGS. 5 and 6.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate the same parts throughout the various views, a mechanically operated lifting and positioning means is shown in the FIGS. 1 through 4, and in particular there is to be seen in FIG. 1 a pair of upper and lower die shoes which, as viewed, are in the closed position with the bail formed into a U shape. Upper die shoe is retained on each side by guides 16 and as the upper die is moved toward engagement with the lower die shoe 17 they engage and bend the wire in the form of the U by which means a bail 18 is formed into a U in a manner described in the previously mentioned patent. Adjacent the U forming section of the upper and lower die shoes are spring-loaded retractable finger assemblies 19 which assist in maintaining the bail in a proper position as in the manner previously described in the above mentioned patent. It is also of note that the upper and lower die shoes 15 and 17 are retained upon a main plate 20. The guides 16 are also attached to this main plate 20 and provide the means for the alignment of the upper die shoe. Upon this upper die shoe there is mounted a pair of adjustable cams 22 which are disposed between the springloaded retractable finger assemblies 19 and the guides 16. Adjustment is provided by means of an adjusting screw 23 which is rotated to move the cam 22 up and down parallel to the reciprocating movement of the upper die shoe after which the cams are clamped to the upper die shoe by means of clamping cap screws 24. Disposed on the outside of each of the guides 16 are flange bearings 26 which rotatably retain a shaft 27 having mounted on one end thereof a front arm 28. Carried on the exterior portion of this arm 28 is a roller 29 adapted to engage the cam 22 as the cam is moved downwardly. The rear portion of the shaft 27 has mounted thereon a rear arm 30 having provision at its end to engage and support a rod end 31. This rod end has a means for engaging and retaining a drag link 32.

Referring now in particular to FIG. 3 it is to be noted that the lower portion of the front plate 20 has mounted thereon a U-bracket 34 which as exemplified extends rearwardly from the plate 20. This bracket carries within its extending arms a rotatable shaft 35 which has mounted on the rear end of the shaft 35 and movable with this shaft 2. clevis 36. Mounted and rotatable in the exterior end of the clevis is a pivot pin 37 having provision for retaining therethrough the drag link 32. On the lower 4 portion of this link 32 there is axially disposed a spring 38 held in place on the link by a nut 39 which is adjustable upon a threaded lower portion of the drag link 32. Mounted on the interior end of shaft 35 is a lift arm 40. This lift arm is movable as shaft 35 is rotated and has formed on its forward or leftward end of the arm a notch portion 41. As the shaft 35 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the end of the arm 40 having the notch is moved upwardly, said notch being adapted when it is moved upwardly to engage an ear 42 of a container 43. It is to be noted that arm 40 has a small bend intermediate its ends, this bend being adapted to bring the outermost portion of the arm containing the inner notch 41 adjacent to the side wall of the container 43.

Referring now to FIG. 4 it is to be noted that the ear 42 as it is cradled in ear notch 41 of arm 40 is adapted in its upper movement to be brought into engagement with a shoulder 45 formed as an extending portion of the end forming or curling die 46. The grooved portion of this die is more fully described in conjunction with the end forming of the bails as described in my above identified patent. Operating in conjunction with the end forming die 46 is a cover stop arm 47 which is movable by apparatus disclosed in the above identified patent and is retained in relationship to the main plate 20 by means of an assist block 48 more fully described in the above identified patent.

Use and operation The mechanically operated ear lift mechanism of FIGS. 1 thru 4 is operated in the following manner. A container 43 is carried by a conveying means 52 which is similar in all respects to the conveying means shown in the above identified patent. This conveying means includes chains 53 and 54 carried by shaft 55 rotatable in bearings carried by a frame 56. Mounted on the top side of the frame are engaging portions or guides adapted to limit the sidewise travel of the container 43 as it is moved down the conveying means. One of the chains 53 or 54 is operated at a speed greater than the other chain so that the can is rotated as it is advanced and in a manner as described in the above identified patent. This conveying means is not intended to be a part of this invention but is only illustrated as a preferred embodiment by which means the container may be advanced to and into the bail-applying mechanism. As a container is transported on the conveying means the ears 42 are caused to be aligned by means disclosed and described in the above identified patent. As the eared containers are brought into position with respect to the main plate 2 the ears are aligned substantially at right angles to the travel of the conveying means. The cover and stop arms 47 are in the position shown in FIG. 1 and with the upper portion of this arm adapted to engage the upper portion of the ear the container is propelled forwardly by the conveying means. When the ears of the container engage the upper portion of the stop arms 47 the forward travel of the container is stopped.

The bail-applying mechanism begins its bail forming and inserting operation in response to a signal generated by the moving container. At the time the ears .of the container engage the stop arms the bail-applying mechanism is in the process of carrying the bail 18 into the end forming dies. As the upper die shoe 15 moves downwardly the cams 22 engage the rollers 29 pushing the rollers outwardly to cause rotation .of the front arm 28 and in this manner the rear arm 30 is moved. As the rear arm is rotated upwardly the drag link 32 and the lift arm 40 moves upwardly. The ear notch 41 of the lift arm 40 engages the lower portion of the ear 42 and lifts the container from the conveying means. At the completion of the lift the notch and shoulder 45 precisely positions the opening of the ears in the way of the outlet of the end forming dies 46. It is to be noted that springs 38 are adjusted so that as the arm 40 moves upwardly the notch 41 cradles the ear 42 as arm 40 moves upwardly until the upper portion of the ear engages the underside of the projection portion 45 of the end forming die 46. The bias of spring 38 is adjusted so that a small amount of .over travel of the drag link 32 is permitted, this over travel being adjusted to accommodate certain deviations inherent in the construction and assembly of the ears and also such deviations as are caused by bending in the shipping of these containers. As even those ears which may be slightly dented in the transporting of these containers normally have diametrical deviations of less than a total of one-sixteenth of an inch the notch 41 of arm 40 cooperating with the projecting portion 45 of the end forming die 46 precisely positions the ear 42 sufliciently close to the outlet of die 46 so that the end of the bail 50 when exiting from the die 46 is in close proximity to the opening in the ear and the end of the bail enters this opening in the ear with little or no difliculty.

The upward movement of the upper die shoe 15 to the position relative to the start of the forming of a new bail 50 brings the cams 22 upwardly so that each of the arms 28 is swung to the upper stop position of FIG. 1 and each of the arms 40 is swung downwardly out of the way of the ears 42 of the next eared container moving to the bailing position.

Pneumatic ear sensing stop and lift Referring now in particular to the ear engaging apparatus as seen in FIGS. 5 thru it is to be noted that this stop and lifting mechanism in certain applications is preferably used in a bail-applying mechanism similar to the one described above. The upper die shoe is movable in guides 16 and spaced so as to engage the lower die shoe 17. Both die shoes are carried upon a main plate as described above. It is also to be noted that the springloaded retractable finger assemblies 19 are disposed in the same relative location as described above. Also mounted upon the main plate is the cover and stop arm 47 and the assist block 48. The cover arm 47 cooperates with the end forming dies 46 to provide a guideway for the end forming of the bail of the U-shaped bail 18 as described above. In contradistinction with the apparatus described above it is to be noted that the present apparatus as shown in FIGS. 5 thru 10 has a pneumatic sensing device which is carried upon an arm operated in a slightly dilferent manner than the lift arm described above. The characteristics that distinguish this apparatus from the apparatus previously described is best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8 in which a support block 60 is carried by a support member 62 extending forwardly to the main plate 20 to which it is attached. By means of this support member the support block is maintained in fixed relationship to the main plate 20. A pivot pin 63 extends through the upper and lower portions of the support block 60 and by means of this pin engages and pivotally retains a swing arm 64 adapted to move toward and away from the entry way provided in the bail applying apparatus of my above identified U.S. patent for the cans or containers 43. The forward portion of swing arm 64 carries stop block 65 which is attached to the swing arm as by means of dowels 66 and flathead cap screws 67. The stop block 65 extends inwardly of the arm 64 and has the facing edge of block 65 which looks in the direction of the pivot pin 63 adapted to carry by means of guide rods not shown a sensing plate 68. In normal disposition the plate 68 lies approximately one-sixteenth of an inch from the face of stop block 65. Extending through the stop block 65 is a pneumatic conductor 69 which is connected to a pneumatic flexible tube 70 for a purpose to be hereinafter described. It is to be noted that the forward portion of the pneumatic conductor 69 which is adjacent the sensing plate is flared or faced so as to provide a surface which may be contacted and sealed by the inner facing portion of the sensing plate 68. Also carried on swing arm 64 is a short lift arm 71 which has one end attached to and movable in response to the rotation of a pivot shaft 72 carried in the swing arm 64. The forward portion of the lift arm 71 is provided with a half notch 73 by which means a lower portion of the ear 42 may be engaged so that by means of the sloped and bottom portions of the half notch 73 and the outer face of the sensing plate 68 the ear may be engaged and cradled. It is to be noted that as preferably constructed, a block 74 is attached to the swing arm 64 so as to provide a bearing support for the shaft 72. Carried by shaft 72 and movable therewith is a link 75 having its other end pivotally connected to a short link 76. This short link 76 carries a piston rod engaging member which is incomplete- 1y shown. A threaded stud 77 is carried in support mem ber 78 and is adapted to provide a stop for the downward movement of the short link 76. A jam nut 78a may be used to lock in a precise position the relationship of the threaded stud 77 to the short link 76. It is to be noted that the pneumatic cylinder 79 is carried by a small bracket 80 and is attached by means of this bracket to the swing arm 64. A pneumatic conductor 81 is attached to the cylinder 79 and carries at determined times a quantity of pressurized air in a manner and in response to means to be hereinafter described.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6 it is to be noted that the containers 43 are preferably carried by a conveying means 82 such as described in my U.S. Patent 3,241,578 which conveying means consists of two roller chains carried by sprockets mounted upon a shaft. It is contemplated that one of these chains travels at a speed greater than the other one. Also provided by this conveying means is a cam guide means described in the patent identified above. This conveying means is not considered a part of this invention.

Use and operation The pneumatically actuated lifting device as described in connection with FIGS. 5 thru 10 is primarily used for containers having requirements for substantially heavier bails and in conjunction therewith there is mounted upon the drive shaft 83 as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 an actuating cam 84 adapted during a portion of the rotation .of shaft 83 to engage an arm and cam follower 85 which during it engagement with the cam 84 causes an air valve 86 to open and permit the passage of pressurized air to the cylinder 79. As shown in FIG. 6 the air valve 86 is carried by a bracket 87 attached to the main plate 20.

Referring now in particular to FIG. 10 it is to be noted that the shaft 83, as it is rotated, carries cam 84 which cam is brought in the way of the cam follower on arm 85. The moving of arm 85 outwardly actuates a valve 86 so that pressurized air may flow through the valve and from this valve to and through the pneumatic conductors 81. The pressurized air flowing from the valve actuates the cylinders 79. It is to be here noted that the cylinders as exemplified are provided with spring returns 88 by which means the cylinders are returned to the upper position.

Referring now to FIG. 9 it is to be noted that ear 42 when brought into engagement with the sensing plate 68 urges plate 68 towards stop block 65 in a manner such that the plate closes off the open end of conductor 69. It is to be noted that from an air supply a low volume of air is fed to a manifold 89 from which air is allowed to pass through conductor 70 to and out the open end of conductor 69. When the car 42 engages the plate 68 it urges this plate forwardly against the outlet and closes this open end of conductor 69. This air blocking device then causes the air flowing through tube 70 to be shut off so that the air in manifold 89 is now caused to be increased to the line pressure and to transmit this pressure through the conductor 90 to a limit switch 91 which is connected in the usual manner so that as limit switch 91 is closed it actuates an electro clutch or similar device to cause the shaft 83 to rotate.

In the operation of this pneumatic device it is to be noted that as a can or container 43 is carried by the conveying means 82 to and in the way of the bail applying mechanism the ears of the container are aligned in a manner whereby as they approach the main plate 20 they are at right angles of the path of the conveyor. Swing arm 64 as viewed in FIG. 8 is biased by means of a spring 92 so that the end of the arm 64 containing the block 65 is swung inwardly. As the container passes the short lift arm 71 it engages the side of the arm and urges the arm 64 outwardly so that the short lift arm 71 just lightly engages the side of the container. The ear 42 of the container engages the air blocking device and engages the plate 68 to push this plate against the end of the condoctor 69 causing the conductor to be closed. This closing of the conductor in the manner described in conjunction with FIG. 9 causes the limit switch 91 to be actuated causing the shaft 83 to revolve.

Referring once again to FIGS. 8 and 10 as shaft 83 is revolved the two cylinders 79 are actuated in that pressurized air is fed to the upper portion of these cylinders causing the piston rods to move downwardly and as these rods move downwardly they cause the short links 76 to be urged downwardly. This of course in turn moves link 75 and rotates pivot shaft 72 to cause the short lift arm 71 to be moved upwardly. The half notch 73 then engages the rear lower portion of the ear 42 and between this half notch and the block 68 the car 42 is retained. As the arm 71 is rotated upwardly the container is lifted until it is brought in the way of the outlet of the wire end forming or curling die 46 mounted on the main plate 20 as seen in FIG. 8. After the bail has been applied to the container the cam 84 is moved away from the valve 87 allowing the air to be shut off in its supply to the cylinders 79. The springs 88 within the now unpressurized cylinders 89 push the pistons upwardly causing the ear lift arm 71 to be moved downwardly. At the same time it is to be noted that operated in the manner as disclosed in the above identified patent the arm 47 is moved towards and into the notch provided in assist block 48. As the arm 47 is rotated, the arm 64 is caused to be moved with the arm 47 by means of a magnet or some other engaging means. As the arm 64 is moved outwardly the car 42 is released allowing the container to be moved forwardly on the conveying means 82. Upon reaching or approaching its outer limit of movement the arm 47 is disengaged from arm 64 as for example arm 64 being stopped by plate 20. The spring 92 then swings arm 64 inwardly to the can receiving position.

It is to be noted that in the above description of the pneumatic appartaus and operation that only the righthand side has been described. However, in looking at the FIG. it is to be noted that similar apparatus as formed in a mirror image of the right-hand apparatus and is mounted also on the main plate 20 and is operated in an identical manner as is the apparatus shown and described in FIGS. 7 and 8.

It is also to be noted that an obvious substitute for the air blocking device would be a microswitch carrying an electric current. This signal could activate the pneumatic cylinder or could activate a solenoid if an electrically motivated lift force was desired. Any deisred combination of substitutes that would be made to provide the sensing and the lifting operations could be made with little modification to the apparatus shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

It is to be noted that the terms right and left, in and out and up and down and similar terms are applicable to the apparatus as described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and that such terms are merely for the purpose of description and do not necessarily apply to a position in which the apparatus may be used.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the application to the bail-applying mechanism of the above referenced patent and to specific combinations shown and described but deparutres may be made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims, without sacrificing its chief advantages.

What is claimed is:

1. Ear contacting and lifting mechanism of a type such as may be used in apparatus adapted for the applying of bails to cared containers, said apparatus comprising: (a) a main plate; (b) a cover arm pivotally mounted on and carried by the main plate and providing stop means for engaging an ear of an advancing eared container; (c) a lift arm disposed to lie adjacent the path of said eared container and provide a guideway for the advancing container; (d) an ear cradling notch formed in the distal end of the arm, the notch shaped to engage and support the ear of the container; (e) a pivot support member spaced in fixed relation to the main plate; (f) a shaft carrier in the support member and providing means for pivotally supporting the other end of the lift arm; (g) a curling die having an extended portion sized and positioned so as to provide a precise shoulder for and an upward stop means for engaging the upper outer surface of the ear of the container; (h) means for swinging the lift arm in timed relationship to the moving of the cover arm into ear engaging position whereby the cradling notch is caused'to engage and carry the ear upwardly until the ear is brought in the way of the extended portion of the curling die whereupon the ear is caused to be held at an aligned position adjacent a bail end forming outlet in the curling die; and (i) means for releasing the ear from engagement with the ear contacting and lifting mechanism.

2. Ear contacting and lifting mechanism as in claim 1 in which the means for swinging the lift arm includes an upper wire forming die movable in a pair of guides attached to the main plate; a pair of adjustable cams carried by the upper die; a pair of rotatable cam-responsive shafts carried in the main plate; a-front arm mounted on the end of each of the cam-responsive shafts; a means for engaging the cam carried on the distal end of the front arm, said means being responsive to the form of the cam as the cam is brought in the way of the engaging means; and cooperating and connecting means extending from the cam-resopnsive rotatable shaft to the lift arm to cause the lift arm to be rotated in response to the movement of the cam.

3. Ear contacting and lifting mechanism as in claim 2 in which the means for swinging the lift arms further includes a rear arm attached to the cam-responsive shaft; a drag link pivotally attached to the rear arm; a link arm attached to the pivot shaft carrying the lift arm and with the distal end of said link arm pivotally retaining the drag link.

4. Ear contacting and lifting means as in claim 3 in which the means for engaging the cam is a roller and in which the cam is moved in a reciprocable manner and in which the drag link is provided with a biasing means and in combination therewith may be adjustably lengthened so as to cause the lift arm to overtravel a smal amount in its upward movement so that as the ear is retained between the extended portion of the curling die and the lift arm there is a small amount of bias developed in the means, the amount of bias normally developed being sufficient to accommodate ears having diameters other than the average diameter.

5. Ear contacting and lifting mechanism as in claim 1 in which the lift arm is provided with an ear sensing means and the means for swinging the lift arm is a separately powered lift means.

6. Ear contacting and lifting mechanism as in claim 5 in which the ear sensing means is an air blocking device and the separate power means is a hydraulic cylinder.

7. Ear contacting and lifting mechanism as in claim 5 in which the ear sensing means is a microswitch connected to an electrical source and in which the separately powered lift means is an electrical solenoid.

8. Ear contacting and lifting mechanism of a type such as may be used in apparatus adapted for the applying of bails to eared containers, said apparatus comprising: (a)

a main plate; (b) a curling die for shaping an end of a wire bail as it is inserted into the ear of an eared container and having an extended portion adapted to engage the upper outer surface of the ear of the container; (c) a swing arm disposed to lie adjacent the path of the container; (d) means for urging the distal end of the swing arm into the path of the container; (e) a stop block carried on the end of the swing arm and disposed to engage the ear of an eared container; (f) an ear sensing means carried by the stop block and adapted to be energized by the forward movement of the ear against the sensing means; (g) a short lift arm pivotally carried by the swing arm and having a half notch formed in its swinging end, the lift arm when swung upwardly adapted to lift the ear and eared container upwardly until the ear engages the extended portion of the curling die; and (h) means for releasing the ear from engagement with the ear contacting and lifting mechanism.

9. Ear contacting and lifting mechanism as in claim 8 in which there is provided a support member attached to and extending from the main plate; a pivot means in the support member and adapted to carry the swing arm so that the arm will swing in a path substantially at right angles to the path of the container and be moved from in the way of the container by the for-ward movement of the container; and in which the means for urging the distal end of the arm into the path of the container is a spring of determined bias.

10. Ear contacting and lifting mechanism as in claim 9 in which there is provided a cover arm pivotally mounted on and carried by the main plate, the cover arm disposed to be swung to cover the curling die and in the way of the ear of the container; means on the cover arm to releasably engage the distal end of the swing arm and to move this end of the swing arm from the path of the ear as the cover arm is swung from the die covering position; and means for causing the swing arm to be disengaged from the cover arm after the eared container has been moved from ear engaging position, whereby the bias of the spring causes the disengaged arm to return to the path of the incoming succeeding container.

11. Ear contacting and lifting mechanism as in claim 10 in which the ear sensing means is an air blocking device adapted to be actuated by the engagement of the block by the ear of the container; and in which there is provided a hydraulic cylinder adapted to move the short lift arm upwardly in response to the actuation of the sensing device.

12. Ear contacting and lifting mechanism as in claim 10 in which the ear sensing means is a microswitch connected to an electrical source and in which there is provided an electrical solenoid connected to the microswitch so as to move the short li-ft arm upwardly in response to the actuation of the sensing device.

13. The method of contacting and lifting an eared container as the container is passed through a bail-applying mechanism and including the steps of:

moving an eared container into a bail-applying mechanism and in a predetermined path;

stopping the eared container by ear engaging means and with its ears in a predetermined plane in reponse to an engagement of the ear;

sensing the engagement of the ear by the ear engaging means;

cradling each ear in a notched end of a lift arm;

swinging the notched end of the lift arm upwardly in response to the sensing of the car so as to lift the container by its ears;

bringing the ears to an upward stop position and location and with a bail-end opening in the ear in the way of a bail-end shaping die;

lowering the eared container to the predetermined path;

releasing the ears of the eared container; and

conducting the eared container from the bail-applying mechanism.

14. The method of contacting and lifting an eared container as in claim 13 in which the moving of the container into position includes urging an end of a biased swing arm from the path of the container by the engagement of the arm by the side of the forward moving container;

removing the ear engaging means from in the Way of the ears of the container after a bail has been applied; and

releasing the swing arm so that it may be moved by biasing means to return the end of the arm to a position in the way of the following container.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS RICHARD J. HERBST, Primary Examiner. 

